Vacuum cleaner assembly



June 13, 1961 c. E. MEYERHOEFER 2,987,751

VACUUM CLEANER ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 12, 1957 I/VVENTORCarl E. Meyerhoefer i xwwwm ATTORNEYS June 13, 1961 c. E. MEYERHOEFER2,987,751

VACUUM CLEANER ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 12, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.8

5s 59 5s A 1' 54 57 48 FIG] //vv/vr0/? Carl E.Meyerhoefer 0 X210, AmmtiuATTORNEYS United States Patent 2,987,751 VACUUM 'CLEANER ASSEMBLY CarlE. Meyerhoefer, Little Neck, N.Y., assignor to Lewyt Corporation, LongIsland City, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 12, 1957, Ser.No. 702,316

'2 Claims. (Cl. 15-327) This invention relates to .a structurally andfunctionally improved vacuum cleaner assembly, and in its more specificaspects aims to provide a structure whereby rugs and other materials maybe agitated, beaten or brushed by a power mechanism simultaneously withthe traversal thereover of .a cleaning nozzle which by hose, wandsections or otherwise is connected with a remotely locatedsuction-producing apparatus to draw dust-laden air through the nozzle orits equivalent.

As is well understood by those conversant with the art, it has beenquite customary to connect the motors of certain types of vacuumcleaners with a rotary brush or equivalent unit associated with thenozzles of those cleaners, so that in a traversal of the nozzle over-forexample-a rug, dust particles and other foreign materials are loosenedfrom the material fibers and drawn into the cleaner by the inrush of airthrough the nozzle. The types of cleaners to which reference is madeembrace assemblies where the motor-blower unit is located adjacent thenozzle. Therefore it is apparent that little if any difliculty isexperienced in connecting a rotary brush by belt or similar drive withthe adjacent motor.

However, in the case of vacuum cleaners embracing a suction mechanismdisposed in a casing remotely located from the cleaning nozzle,considerable diiiicultyv has been encountered in attempting to provide apower drive for a rotary brush or similar unit associated with thenozzle. In this connection it will be understood that aside from thedifficulties of assembly, the mechanical losses involved in, forexample, a torque cable drive would be excessive. This is true becausethe drive would have to extend between the motor of the blower unit andthe nozzle. Therefore, it would extend throughout the length of theintervening hose or its equivalent and would involve excessive losses.Where attempts were made to have the inrushing air drive an air turbineor Wheel disposed adjacent the nozzle, it was found that aside from thereduction in suctio'n involved, inadequate power was produced toeffectively drive a brush or similar element adjacent thecovering-contacting surface of the nozzle to produce a proper agitating,beating or brushing system.

In both of the latter examples it is, of course, to be understood thatthere are definite weight and bulk factors which may not be commerciallyexceeded at the nozzle end of an assembly. Also, the size and power output of a motor-blower unit may not, for obvious reasons, be exceeded. Ifa solution were attempted involving the use of a motor-driven brush orits equivalent in a vacuum cleaner assembly of the type in question,with the motor located within the area of the nozzle and supplied byordinary electrical leads, dangerous conditions would be presented,aside from the fact that the usual housewife does not possess thenecessary skills to group together in operative association the variouscomponents of such an assembly.

By means of the present teachings a vacuum cleaner assembly is providedin which the nozzle is connected by a hose or other conduit in animproved manner with a remotely located motor-blower unit and with whichnozzle there may be associated a motor-driven brush or agitator of amplepower to assure a manipulation of the material being cleaned and withoutimpairment of the suction 2,987,751 Patented June 13, 1961 produced bythe apparatus within the body of the cleaner casing, or at the nozzle.

A further object is that of furnishing an assembly embodying theforegoing advantage and which assembly will be automatically establishedwithout any skill or conscious effort on the part of the user. Moreover,there will be no danger to the user or to the elements of the assemblyduring the operation of the mechanism.

An additional object is that of designing an assembly includingrelatively few parts, each individually simply and rugged inconstruction and all capable of being readily connected in operativeassociation with each other and of being economically produced, and allfunctioning efficiently over long periods of time with freedom from alldifiiculty.

With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attachedsheets of drawings illustrating practical embodiment of the inventionand in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional side view of the main casing of theassembly, showing the structures of several of the improved units.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the motor and current-supplyingcomponents of the present assembly.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a contact member included inthe assembly;

FIG. 4 is a sectional end view of the inner end of the hose unit takenalong the line 44 in the direction of the arrows as indicated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken in somewhatenlarged scale along the line 55 in the direction of the arrows asindicated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side view of the inner end of the hose assemblywith certain of the parts broken away to disclose underlying structures;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along line 77 inthe direction of the arrows as indicated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a somewhat schematic side elevation of a complete assemblysuch as may be provided within the scope of the present teachings.

Referring primarily to FIG. 8 as illustrative of the type of assemblyherein contemplated, it will be noted that the numeral 25 designates acasing within which there is contained a suction-producing apparatus andwhich is formed with an intake opening to which one end of a hose unit26 is detachably connected. This hose unit conveniently terminates in atubular metallic sleeve 27, which may take the form of an elbow and isconveniently gripped by the hand of the operator. In accordance withconventional techniques the hand piece 27 may be directly connected to anozzle or brush to traverse a surface to be cleaned. Otherwise, and asshown, Wand sections 28 may be coupled to each other and to the handpiece to connect the latter with a cleaning nozzle or unit 29 suitablefor contact with a floor covering or surface.

The casing 25 and its contained mechanism may correspond to thedisclosure of United States Patent 2,716,465 of August 30, 1955, as mayalso the coupling existing between that casing and the inner end of ahose unit. However, the detailed structures of the parts adjacent thisend of the assembly will be modified in the manner shown in FIG. 1 toachieve the results herein contemplated.

Thus, referring to that figure, the numeral 30 indicates a housing, andthe numeral 32 an upper casing, which conveniently receives anair-porous paper bag for the infiltration of dust from incoming air. Theupper end of the casing is normally maintained in closed condition by alid 31. Within the housing and preferably below the casing 32 is amotor-blower unit 33. Current is supplied to the latter by leads 34, andthe flow of current therethrough may be controlled by a switch 35 andactuator 36, all as described in detail in the afore-identified UnitedStates patent.

Referring to FIG. 2, in which the reference numeral 37 indicates themotor of the unit, it will be understood that this motor is preferablyof the universal type. In other words, it will operate when suppliedwith either alternating or direct current. The usual field coils 38 arewound on the stator laminations of the stack in the ordinary manner. Inaddition, coils 39 are provided. These latter coils use the iron statorlaminations and the field coils 38 of the motor to induce a low voltagecurrent flow within them, and which flow continues through leads 40. Inthis manner there is produced a source of current completely isolatedfrom the motor input current.

In the case of leads 34 being coupled to direct current, then, ofcourse, no induced low voltage current will flow through leads 40.However, as is well understood, most vacuum cleaner installations aresupplied from sources of alternating current. Under those conditionsthis flow will occur. A suitable value with 115 volt A.C. input throughleads 34 will result in an output of, for example, 12 volts A.C. throughleads 4%. An amperage on the order of 4 amperes is convenientlydeveloped.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, an isolation type of transformer structure isprovided in which the field coils 38 of the motor 37 are wound in theusual manner on the stator laminations. These field coils also serve asthe primary winding for the stepdown transformer, which additionallyuses the iron stator laminations to induce low voltage current flow inthe secondary coils 39 and the output leads 40. According to thepreferred construction, as shown in both FIGS. 1 and 2, one of theoutput leads 40 is grounded to the frame of the machine as at 41. Thesecond lead is continued to a point adjacent the inlet opening of thecasing.

At that inlet opening it is preferred that an assembly of partsgenerally corresponding to the disclosure in FIG. 2 of my earlier Patent2,716,465 be employed. In addition, a member is mounted at this station,which member is similar in configuration to a cup the base of which hasbeen removed, but which includes side walls 43 terminating in a flange44, with the axis of the cup inclined upwardly, if the hose to beconnected thereto is to incline downwardly. The cup is formed of metaland is provided with a connecting portion 42. to which the adjacent endof the extended lead 40 is suitably coupled. This cup carries inwardlyextending guiding elements adjacent its free edge zone as at 45. Theguiding elements are formed of insulating material and preferably arespaced from each other 120, so that only three of these elements arenecessary. Obviously a greater number of the same might be employed andserve to center within the cup bore the inner end of the hose assembly.The cup is maintained in position by, for example, applying to themounting flange 44 of the same, layers of insulating material 46 whichwill overlie and underlie the flange surface. These layers, togetherwith the cup member, will be retained in position by, for example,rivets 47, which clear the edge of the cup to thus retain the latterelectrically isolated from the frame of the machine.

The inner end of the hose assembly may, as in my prior grant, embrace ametallic tube 48, which at a point intermediate its ends carries asealing member 49 preferably formed of rubber and engageable with thefitting 50 mounted by the casing and defining the inlet opening of thelatter. It is apparent that as shown in FIG. 4, if tube 48 is introducedinto that inlet opening and as the sealing member 49 reaches theposition shown, the inner end of the tube will be guided by theinsulating buttons 45 or their equivalent to be spaced from the surfaceof cup 43. In accordance with my earlier design, it is preferred thatthe exterior of the tube 48 carry a pair of pins which cooperateselectively with pairs of bayonet grooves or slots (not shown in thepresent drawings), in order that .the tube may be introduced wtihoutdifliculty through assays 1 g the inlet opening and retained in positionat any one of four displaced stations.

As shown especially in FIGS. 3 and 6, tube 48 is formed with an opening51 adjacent its inner end. Supported within this opening is a contact 52conveniently surrounded by an insulating member 53 which prevents thecontact from engaging with the edge of tube 48. That contact is carriedby a spring arm 54 which normally maintains it in a position projectedbeyond the outer surface of tube 48. Arm or strip 54 passes through andis insulated from the edges of an opening 55 in the sleeve at a pointsubstantially removed from its inner end. Beyond this opening it issecured to the outer face of the tube, as shown, for example, in FIG. 7,in which a rivet 56 or other suitable securing element passes throughopenings formed in both strip 54 and the tube and is insulated fromcontact with the strip. Such insulation, as especially shown in FIG. 7,conveniently includes a base layer 57 interposed between the strip andthe outer tube surface, and a second strip 58 which has the edge zonesdefining the opening for the fastener inclined inwardly as at 59 and itsouter edge zones similarly inclined inwardly as at 60. Thus, strip 54 ishoused in a manner such that it cannot ground against the tube. Anidentical or functionally similar insulating structure may be employedadjacent the base end of that portion of strip 54 which extends withinthe bore of tube 48. Thus it is apparent that electrical contact will beestablished between element 52 and the surface of cup 43 as the tube isrammed home to its fully seated position.

As especially shown in FIG. 1, the outer end of tube 48 extends into thebore of a hose such as has been generally heretofore designated by thereference numeral 26. In accordance with conventional technique, thehose and tube are secured against detachment by, for example, a fittingassembly as generally indicated at 61. The hose body embraces a tubularsheath 62 formed preferably of dielectric material. This sheath isreinforced and maintained in distended position by means of a pair ofwires 63 and 64. Wire 63 will be covered with suitable insulation,whereas wire 64 may be bare. The wires are disposed spirally with theircourses parallel to each other. As especially illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5and 6, the end of wire 63 has its insulation stripped from it and isconnected as at 65 to the end of contact strip or lead 54. The inner endof tube 48 directly engages with several courses of wire 64. Thereforeit is apparent that these two wires 63 and 64 provide for a current flowfrom one lead 40 through the ground 41 and from the other lead 40through cup 43, contact 52 and lead 54 through to unit 29.

Briefly considering the present assembly, it will be understood that itincludes a casing provided with a motor-blower unit operated byelectrical current and which serves to draw air through the inletopening of the casing, through the filtering element disposed Within thelatter, and to discharge the air through the outlet opening. Connectedto the inlet opening are the accessory parts of the assembly which mayembrace a hose unit, wand sections and a cleaning tool or nozzle, all tobe connected to each other and providing a tubular structure for airflow. The assembly will therefore be of the type in which the nozzle isnot located adjacent the casing containing the motor-blower unit, butrather will be connected by accessory units to be disposed and opcrateat a point relatively remote from that casing. The transformer structureshould in all events be of the electrically isolated type. Accordingly,a user having a hand or other part contacting current-supply leads orcontacts of the accessory devices and grasping a water pipe or otherordinarily grounded unit will be in no danger of receiving a shock.

The voltage output by the transformer should preferably be sutficientlylow so that the current thus supplied will be incapable of shocking auser who carelessly grasps an exposed and live contact or contacts ofthe assembly. In the interests of economy and compactness the fieldcoils of the motor may serve as the primary winding for the transformer;the stator stack or equivalent part of the motor assembly receiving inthe usual manner the field coils of the motor supplied with 110 voltcurrent. As afore brought out, the iron stator laminations, togetherwith the field coils, serve to induce low voltage current in thesecondary of the transformer. The motor being preferably of theuniversal type, will of course operate with both alternating and directcurrent supply. With the former the transformer will have the desiredoutput. With direct current, the transformer will in effect beinoperative. Therefore only with alternating current will the accessorytool or nozzle 29 have its motor functioning. It would be feasible toembody in the casing assembly a structure with which current of lowvoltage but adequate amperage would be supplied, using a source ofdirect current. Such an expedient is definitely not preferred, in thatit always oifers the increased possibility of a shock being imparted tothe user when the latter is in contact with a ground such as a waterpipe, radiator or otherwise.

With regard to the accessory parts extending from the casing 25, it willbe understood that as the inner end of the hose assembly is coupled tothe inlet opening of the casing, not alone is a proper air-conductivepath provided, but also an electrical circuit may be furnished foruseful work up to the outer end of the hose assembly. If that outer endis not directly connected with a tool or nozzle, but rather wandsections are coupled to it, the mechanical connections which are createdas the parts are coupled will also extend the potential electric circuitthrough to the outermost of the sections. In all events, where a motoror other cur rent-consuming device is included as part of the unit 29,that device will be supplied with current through the other accessoryunits of the assembly as those units are connected to the casing, toeach other and to the nozzle or tool. If desired, a suitable manuallyoperable switch (not shown) might be interposed anywhere within theleads forming parts of the accessory units; a preferable location forsuch a switch being on the elbow member 27 at the outer end of the hoseassembly. If the tool or nozzle does not include a driving motor orother current-consuming unit, then the assembly will still function asan ordinary vacuum cleaner mechanism. The transformer being of theisolation type, it is apparent that under all circumstances, even if thecurrentsupplying lead or leads were directly grounded, no damage wouldbe done either to the transformer or to the structure of theaccessories.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specificallyaforenoted are achieved. Obviously numerous changes in structure andrearrangements of the parts may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. A vacuum cleaner assembly including in combination a metallic casingstructure formed with an inlet opening, a motor-blower unit Within saidcasing for drawing air through said inlet opening, a transformerconnected to the motor of said unit, output leads extending from saidtransformer, a metallic tube having aninner end disposed within saidinlet opening, a contact electrically insulated from said tube, meansfor supporting said contact adjacent the inner end of said tube and formovement radially beyond the outer surface thereof, a metallic cupwithin and insulated from said casing in line with the inlet openingthereof, one of the output leads being grounded to the casing structure,the other lead being connected to said cup, said contact moving radiallyof the tube axis into engagement with said cup to provide an electricalcontinuation of one output lead, and the body of said tube electricallyconnecting with said casing to provide a current-conductive path as acontinuation of the second output lead.

2. In an assembly as defined in claim 1, the contactsupporting meanscomprising a resilient conductive strip mounting at its outer end saidcontact, said strip being insulated from said tube, the latter beingformed with an opening at its outer end, said strip being supportedwithin the bore of said tube and said contact passing through saidopening and outwardly beyond the tube surface to engage with the face ofthe cup.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS452,506 Klumpp May 19, 1891 630,419 Steinmetz Aug. 8, 1899 696,702 WeitzApr. 1, 1902 1,890,290 Hargreaves Dec. 6, 1932 2,003,098 White May 28,1935 2,072,689 Smellie Mar. 2, 1937 2,072,690 Smellie Mar. 2, 19372,320,367 Leathers June 1, 1943 2,348,861 Smellie May 16, 1944 2,524,522Gilmore Oct. 3, 1950 2,570,222 Ell Oct. 9, 1951 2,769,997 Sheahan Nov.13, 1956

